nipple shields

excuse me if this is a bit of a silly question...are nipple shields used to 'shield your nipples' whilst breastfeeding? i.e. you put them on and baby sucks through them like a teet? Reason I ask is my friend saw some in Mothercare and told me this is what they are, I'm worried about bf #2 as it was so painful last time, if she is right, I will give them a go.

Yes, that's what they're for, but be warned - they can interfere with supply as the baby won't necessarily feed as effectively through them (and they can get nipple confusion, meaning that skin-to-skin breastfeeding is harder).

I'm sorry you're worried about bfeeding number two - I would suggest you give it a go, then talk to a breastfeeding counsellor if it does hurt - some babies "get it" far quicker than others. Have a look at the Breastfeeding resources thread on here for links to kellymom and some other breastfeeding information sites, some with videos showing good latching techniques and positioning.

This is what I thought, the way they were described to me, I doubted my friend had the right use for them!! I had very painful breasts through pg with DS1 and then mastitis, the thought of anything at all touching them made me feel like passing out!

I bought them and DD never got used to them, so they festered in a cupboard.

My problem was incredibly sore nips rather than any latching problems (I believe) - i think she latched on a little too well in terms of suckosity, her position was fine (and the pain went after a few weeks)

Lulabelle, if you get your latch sorted out, it really shouldn't hurt. Expressing's good, but it's very hard to do from birth (although it is possible) - big commitment to keep it going as you need to pump in the night to begin with at least to increase and maintain your supply.

Whereabouts in the country are you? Can you go to a breastfeeding workshop before the baby's born? When are you due? Definitely get expert advice (which sadly is often lacking from midwives and health visitors). Yes, it can hurt to begin with, but it won't hurt long-term with the right support, I promise.

lulabelle - you need to get breastfeeding off to a good start which will avoid the pain. If baby is latched properly then pain should not be part of breastfeeding. Some babies do take a bit of time to catch on so make sure you have help at feeds from midwife. Varying the positions you hold baby to feed also helps. Talking to a breastfeeding counsellor beforehand would be good. Lansinoh cream is excellent if nipples do get tender despite best efforts. A tube is expensive but lasts a long time. How long did you feed for last time?

If you are really determined to feed, despite the fact that the shields do interfere with milk supply it can be a way of keeping feeding when your nipples are very cracked but you need to be very very determined to persevere and then to wean the baby off them once your nipples heal a little. good luck if you use them.

I think the MW was much of the problem, I had very sore cracked nipples, she wasn't very patient with me and in the end I gave up and went on to the bottles, DS was fine and is a very healthy 3.5 year old.

I'm in the midlands, due on christmas day, never heard of bf workshops?

Breastfeeding workshops are where mums meet and learn more about breastfeeding before they have their babies. Most hospitalr run them now with midwives and/or health visitors Lulabelle. They are offered as part of parenthood classes in my area.

I really, really want to give this a go this time. But it was SO painful last time, it's taken a long time to feel confident again and is still an ongoing process.

My nipples were unbelievably sore and they just told me I had 'sensitive nipples' and did I want to give DD a bottle? I felt awful giving up but it was honestly too painful to continue.

Scotland has one of the lowest breastfeeding rates in Europe. And one of the poorest health records overall.

Arrggh, mears! Been doing the exercises? Ice and/or heat?

I hate to be the one to break it to you, but soft tissue injuries just all around suck. I recovered much faster from fractures.

KEEP WITH IT! I promise it will keep getting better - well, except on those clangin' days when it's utterly Baltic and wet as well. Arrgggh. I can feel the pin in my femur on those days, and it's 9 years on now . The knee works great, tho, and that's what matters!